FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

Business first. Wizardry later.

The Lakers got another win, which is probably the only thing that counts in games like this in March against teams whose priorities are on the other side of the W–L column.

They won for the second game in a row, on the second night of a back-to-back, with a 128–104 rout of the Sacramento Kings. It was their second consecutive blowout win, another high-octane offensive outburst that pushed them back into the top 10 in offensive rating and nudged their point differential into positive territory at +0.5.

It’s hard to find any real big-picture takeaway from games like these, so I mostly look for smaller signals that could matter, and for the fun flashes and highlights that make watching basketball fun.

Today’s notes:

Continued emphasis on sharing the ball

An encouraging turnover trend

Marcus Smart and Maxi Kleber, the veteran hustle leaders (VIDEO)

Luka’s highlight mixtape (VIDEO)

Adou Thiero takeoff sighting (VIDEO)

1-Continued emphasis on sharing the ball

After the win against the Warriors, I wrote about a visible Lakers emphasis on sharing the ball and increasing ball movement. That carried over into this game, with four starters attempting more than five shots but none more than 10 in the first half. And with the way JJ Redick talked about Luka Dončić setting the tone with eight assists at halftime, and about the team’s 18 first-half assists in his postgame interview, it is easy to recognize the current area of focus.

After scoring only six points over the previous two games, Deandre Ayton got more early touches, scoring 10 of his 12 points before halftime. And because the Lakers took care of business early, none of the starters played more than 29 minutes, with Dončić and Reaves sitting out the entire fourth quarter again. Dončić finished with 28 points and nine assists. LeBron James, who had another efficient night from three, added 24 points and five assists. Reaves chipped in 12 points and five assists, becoming the third player with at least five dimes.

We’ll see how this ball movement and more egalitarian offense hold up against tougher competition, but the early returns are encouraging.

2-An encouraging turnover trend

Post–All-Star break, the Lakers haven’t been overly inspiring. Three disappointing losses to the Celtics, Magic, and Suns exposed some of the same old weaknesses. However, if the recent uptick in ball movement and ball sharing is a sign of change, the fact that the increased passing has also come with low turnover numbers adds another layer of promise.

A high turnover rate was a defining factor in many of the Lakers’ high-profile losses earlier in the season. For a team led by Dončić, James, and Reaves, being a high turnover team was one of the more disappointing trends and a key reason they were not operating as a top-five offense.

Post–All-Star break, the Lakers have flipped that trend, ranking among the better teams at taking care of the ball over this six-game stretch.

As with the improved ball movement, we need a larger sample size and more proof against stronger, more aggressive opponents. But ball control will remain crucial for this team, especially because their transition defense continues to be one of their biggest flaws.

3-Marcus Smart and Maxi Kleber, the veteran hustle leaders (VIDEO)

In a game that had an All-Star Game kind of up-and-down vibe, where defense was often optional, two players stood out by playing hard.

Like he has all season, Marcus Smart set the tone with his hustle, creating deflections and diving for loose balls. Sacramento is a team that can get reckless and turn the ball over at a high rate, and Smart took full advantage of that, finishing with five steals.

Maxi Kleber is another Laker who consistently brings effort, focus, and attention to detail, always trying to make the right defensive play. Being a high-effort, low-mistake player has always been his strength, but what once made him special was pairing that with above-average mobility and athleticism, at times even exceptional for his size.

In the last couple of games, we’ve seen flashes of that version again, with the German veteran making several highlight plays on both ends.

Interestingly, with Kleber looking as athletic as he has in a while, it is the other defensive specialist, Jarred Vanderbilt, who has lost his rotation spot to him. For the second game in a row, Redick also used Kleber primarily as the third big, playing him mostly at the center position.

Unadjusted one-season on/off data can be skewed and should be interpreted with caution. But I don’t think it’s a coincidence that both veterans lead the team and stand out in this category, especially on a team whose key flaw has been maintaining the right level of effort and focus for prolonged stretches.

4–Luka’s highlight mixtape (VIDEO)

Redick highlighted Dončić for setting the tone with his passing and for playing the right way in the first half. But for better or worse, one of Dončić’s tendencies has been to get a little bored in games against weaker opponents when his team builds a big lead. Sometimes that results in sloppy plays. Other times, geniuses produce their most unconventional work out of boredom. Last night, with his team up by nearly 20 midway through the third quarter, Dončić delivered two gems that made an otherwise forgettable game memorable.

First was a one-handed rocket skip pass to Luke Kennard in the corner. Luka highlight lovers will appreciate the added flair, with both Dončić and Reaves turning their backs the other way, already knowing the sharpshooter would not miss the wide-open look. The X’s-and-O’s junkies like me will obsess over how difficult it is to guard a Dončić stack pick-and-roll, with a vertical lob threat, Reaves as the back screener, and two elite shooters spaced in the corners.

The highlight of the night came on the very next possession. Dončić tried to hit the brakes and get into his signature step-back. But instead of shaking his defender, Dawqwon Plowden, this time Dončić dropped himself. Somehow, though, he managed to keep his dribble alive, popped back to his feet, and drilled a ridiculous contested fallaway three.

Watch the ESPN Los Angeles slow motion edit for another angle of this remarkable play. Postgame, Dončić claimed he slipped on purpose and said it will be part of his And-1 mixtape. Who am I to question an artist Jason Kidd once called a basketball Picasso?

5-Adou Thiero takeoff sighting (VIDEO)

One of the Lakers’ bigger challenges in their effort to re-build around Dončić is the lack of cost-controlled young talent on the roster, especially players who could help close the massive athleticism gap they face against most teams in the league. That is why drafting Adou Thiero with the 36th pick in last year’s draft was such an intriguing, low-risk, potentially high-reward gamble.

Health was a major reason Thiero slipped, and the 21-year-old has had a rookie season largely defined by injuries, with the team taking a cautious, long-term approach to his ongoing knee issues. Thiero’s offensive game is still very raw, but that does not stop fans from dreaming about the what-ifs whenever flashes like this pop up.

Even with all the cap space and flexibility this summer, the Lakers will need to uncover a hidden gem, a low-cost young player who can make a leap and become a real rotation contributor. Thiero’s first year has not been particularly encouraging, but among the current Lakers development projects, he still has the highest upside.

Luke Kennard in the last 2 games:🎯 27 PTS🎯 4 REB🎯 8 AST🎯 50% FG🎯 58% 3P🎯 +31HE’S A HOOPER. pic.twitter.com/D8xjmraW9G— Witness King James (@WITNESSKJ) March 2, 2026

Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves both turning around before Luke Kennard even shot the ball knowing it was going in lol pic.twitter.com/4cUvusDcYO— Iztok Franko (@iztok_franko) March 2, 2026

Luke Kennard says he loves being a Laker and does it with pride 🥹“I’ve loved it. Playing for the Lakers, it’s the highest level. Wearing that across your chest, you take pride in that.” pic.twitter.com/q8szCj9EYW— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) March 2, 2026

WHAT A DIME FROM LUKA TO LUKE KENNARD!!!!The best 3-PT shooter in the league being this open is UNFAIR 😭😭pic.twitter.com/K2uw1Ce8Rm— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) March 2, 2026

If there is a positive trend from Lakers recent otherwise so-so post All-Star stretch is passing and taking care of the ball.Luka at 9.0 assists and only 2.0 turnovers per game in last 6 games. LeBron at 6.5 assists, 2.8 turnovers. Lakers at 11.7% TOV rate, 2nd best in NBA. https://t.co/nCNLWCS90t— Iztok Franko (@iztok_franko) March 2, 2026

WHAT A DIME FROM LUKA TO LUKE KENNARD!!!!The best 3-PT shooter in the league being this open is UNFAIR 😭😭pic.twitter.com/K2uw1Ce8Rm— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) March 2, 2026

Come for the Maxi poster, stay for the bench reaction 😤 pic.twitter.com/SlnMKMV2I9— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 2, 2026

WHY IS MAXI OUT HERE MOVING LIKE THIS ALL OF A SUDDEN 🤯 pic.twitter.com/8AeFsfdxHi— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) March 2, 2026

Maxi Kleber said he feels his teammates reactions from the bench in his big plays like his two posters Sunday in win vs. SAC:“Every time I do something, you know, you look to the bench, everybody's celebrating. So obviously it's good push for me, good push for the team.” pic.twitter.com/gMgQ6YlxNA— Benjamin Royer (@thebenroyer) March 2, 2026

Luka Doncic with 28 PTS, 5 REB, 9 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK as the Lakers get the BLOWOUT WIN over the Kings 🔥LeBron James: 24 PTS, 5 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK 😤 pic.twitter.com/v1VhQWMV80— Basketball Forever (@bballforever_) March 2, 2026

LUKA DONCIC IN HIS LAST 3 GAMES:31.7 PPG57% FG50% 3PM8.3 APG🐐🐐🐐 pic.twitter.com/q4wffZuQD3— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) March 2, 2026

Final: Lakers 128, Kings 104LA wins its second straight game, improving to 36-24. They're just a half-game back of Denver for the No. 5 seed (and play them twice over the next two weeks). Luka had 28/5/9. LeBron had 24 points. The Lakers hit 18 3s.Up next: vs. NOP on Tues.— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) March 2, 2026

Luka Doncic tonight vs Kings28 Points9 Assists5 Rebounds10/16 FG4 Threes +18 🪄 pic.twitter.com/rkrsMkqsUe— Lakers Empire (@LakersEmpire) March 2, 2026

Final Stats 📊Luka: 28 pts, 5 reb, 9 astLeBron: 24 pts, 5 astAR: 12 pts, 5 astDA: 12 pts, 4 reb, 6-6 FGLuke: 11 pts, 5 ast pic.twitter.com/9fNTdpvlic— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 2, 2026

WHAT A DIME FROM LUKA TO LUKE KENNARD!!!!The best 3-PT shooter in the league being this open is UNFAIR 😭😭pic.twitter.com/K2uw1Ce8Rm— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) March 2, 2026

LeBron James has led the Lakers in assists 8 of the last 11 games.One of the best playmakers in the world. #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/BTXBHUTAgX— 🎗NBA•Fan🎗 (@Klutch_23) March 2, 2026

FROM ABOVE ARTICLE:

Lakers put out the fire, win convincingly

The Lakers righted the ship. After three consecutive losses, they got a much-needed win and restored some positive energy. Doing it on Luka Dončić’s 27th birthday only added more good vibes to the team that needed them badly.

Source: Los Angeles Lakers post on X

The team they beat, the Warriors without Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler, was not particularly impressive, although this same group beat the Nuggets recently. But the manner in which the Lakers did it was. They won 129–101 in a wire-to-wire blowout, building a 30-point lead in the third quarter that allowed JJ Redick to keep all of his players under 30 minutes. That is not insignificant, with the Kings waiting on the second night of a back-to-back.

Today’s notes:

A balanced three-headed attack (VIDEO)

Luke Kennard, the missing ingredient in the blender (VIDEO)

The other end of the three-point variance stick

Another look at the tweaked rotations

Looking ahead to a busy March

1-A balanced three-headed attack (VIDEO)

The lack of offensive rhythm, especially chemistry between the three stars, has been one of the main talking points during this recent slump. At least for one night, the Lakers’ trio put that aside. You could feel the emphasis on ball movement and a more balanced attack. Austin Reaves, who has often been the one squeezed out, came out aggressive, scoring 11 points in the first quarter without missing a shot.

Once Reaves took a breather (more on the new rotations later), LeBron James took over. James, who has struggled from three this season at just 31 percent, knocked down his first four attempts from deep and scored 20 of his 22 points in the first half.

Then, to open the third quarter, Dončić, who had a quiet 10-point, six-assist first half, put his foot on the gas. He essentially put the Warriors away with absurd shotmaking, drilling four threes in less than five minutes.

Despite all the other concerns, the Lakers showed that when all three of their stars are on their game, especially when the ball is moving, they can still overpower teams with sheer talent. They scored at a rate of 140 points per 100 possessions against a top-10 defense.

2-Luke Kennard, the missing ingredient in the blender (VIDEO)

When the Lakers traded for Kennard at the deadline, it opened the possibility for Redick to lean even further into an all-offense approach, adding more shooting and spacing around his three primary ball handlers.

Last night was an example of how effective that can be. Kennard knocked down four threes and provided a much-needed punch off the bench with 16 points. But more than his outside shot, it is his drive-and-kick game, the way he keeps the defense on its heels, that has impressed the most in his short Lakers tenure. Postgame, Redick praised Kennard, saying, “He just starts the blender for us,” describing him as someone who is very adept at maintaining an advantage, whether by driving to score or driving and kicking out. Another term Redick used for it was connective offense.

One of the knocks on Kennard has been that he is not quite a high-volume three-point shooter, at least not for someone as deadly as he is. His unselfishness and his ability to punish defenses that chase him off the line are part of the reason. It is also what distinguishes him from more static spacing options like Rui Hachimura or Dorian Finney-Smith.

3-The other end of the three-point variance stick

The Lakers faced two undermanned opponents in their last two games, both missing their top two scoring options. The Suns and the Warriors have tried to compensate for that talent deficit by turning games into high-volume, high-variance three-point shootouts. Both teams took more than half of their shots from beyond the arc.

Source: Cleaning the Glass

But while Grayson Allen, Collin Gillespie, and the Suns punished nearly every poor rotation and late closeout from the Lakers, the Warriors could not buy a three early, no matter how clean the look. The Warriors made only five of their 24 three-point attempts in the first half.

And while their pace, constant movement, and trademark split cuts were often too much for the Lakers’ shaky defense to handle, their shotmaking was nowhere near enough to match the Lakers, who hit 46 percent from deep. Dončić, James, and Kennard each buried four, with LaRavia chipping in three more.

4-Another look at the tweaked rotations

The Lakers’ ongoing search for the best way to deploy their star trio, and the underwhelming lineup data when Dončić, James, and Reaves share the floor, has recently shifted from a niche topic discussed by Lakers analysts and data enthusiasts like me to a broader national conversation.

In my last lineup deep dive, I floated one possible tweak for Redick: longer Dončić–Reaves stretches, balanced by more minutes with James running the offense while the other two sit.

Lakers Lineups Deep Dive: A Testing Ground for the Summer Rebuild
Iztok Franko
·
Feb 18

Lakers Lineups Deep Dive: A Testing Ground for the Summer Rebuild
I’m traveling this week, enjoying Norway and its icy cold winter, with tons of snow and long cross-country skiing sessions. I actually planned to take a full week off from content. But I couldn’t help myself. Somewhere between climbs on the cross-country skis and trying not to freeze my face off, I found my mind drifting back to the Lakers.

Read full story

That is exactly how Redick and his staff have tweaked the rotations over the last two games. You can see longer Dončić–Reaves stretches with James off the floor, marked by the orange blocks, followed by light green James-only units, and no purple Reaves–James lineups with Dončić sitting.

Source: pbp stats

One other minor wrinkle we saw last night was a brief stretch of Maxi Kleber at the five in the second quarter. Kleber looked great in his 13 minutes, recording three blocks and finishing twice at the rim off passes from James, including one dunk.

5-Looking ahead to a busy March

The Lakers are heading into a very busy March, with 17 games in 31 days, including four back-to-backs. The first of those concludes tonight when they host the lowly Kings, who have won only three times in their last 20 games at Crypto.com Arena.

Source: NBA official website

The Lakers have to handle their business tonight and in the upcoming games against two other cellar-dwellers, the Pelicans and the Pacers, over the next four games.

After that, the March schedule gets much tougher, with several games against direct rivals in the standings, two against the Nuggets, two against the Rockets, and one against the Timberwolves. Add to that three matchups with Eastern Conference powerhouses, the Pistons, Knicks, and Cavaliers, all of whom have already beaten the Lakers this season.

The Lakers have played some uninspiring basketball, going 6–6 in February. However, Redick has expressed confidence that they can still change course over the remainder of the season if everyone stays healthy.

Source: Lakers Nation post on X

One convincing win is a good start, but it certainly won’t erase the doubts that have accumulated over the course of the season. To truly shift the narrative, the Lakers will need to make a real stand in the upcoming games against their key rivals, and ideally leapfrog some of them in the standings.

🔥 Lakers 129, Warriors 101. LA finally snaps its three-game losing streak with a dominant performance over Golden State. Luka Dončić: 26 points, 6 rebounds and 8 assists. LeBron James: 22 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists. Austin Reaves: 18 points. #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/xj7Vg71jhv— Giovanni Rossi (@spawnix) March 1, 2026

THE LAKERS DOMINATE THE WARRIORS TO GET A MUCH-NEEDED WIN 🙏The Lakers were firing on ALL cylinders tonight, led by Birthday Luka and LeBron 🔥 pic.twitter.com/JaFFfeOorD— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) March 1, 2026

Luka gets the birthday W as the Lakers blow out the shorthanded Warriors 🎂 pic.twitter.com/v1WyEN3bER— ESPN (@espn) March 1, 2026

🔍 LAKERS CRUSH WARRIORS 129-101 🟣💥Final: Lakers 129 – Warriors 101!Luka Dončić 26 PTS (birthday special 🔥)LeBron James 22 PTS / 9 AST / 7 REBAustin Reaves 18 PTSDominant wire-to-wire win 👀 Lake Show back! #NBA #Lakers #Warriors #LakeShow(Via ESPN / NBA) https://t.co/nOpj9TWepc pic.twitter.com/YV7ABY8uak— GTrends Daily (@GTrendsNow) March 1, 2026